We are the civic association for the 650+ households in the Hungerford neighborhood (see map). We meet several times a year to discuss neighborhood issues and to plan neighborhood activities.
Our neighborhood was established in the 1950's and takes its name from Charles Hungerford, whose tavern was a major landmark in the 1700's.
In 1776, it was designated the county courthouse, and it was in this historically lively place that a patriotic crowd led by Thomas Wootton adopted The Hungerford Resolves, a document calling for the ceasing of trade with Great Britain until she agreed to repeal the Intolerable Acts. (We in the civic association like to think that we continue this fine tradition of resistance against Intolerable Acts imposed on us from Outside). The drawing on the right is entitled Out of Robb's window Montgomery Courthouse and was done by Benjamin Henry Latrobe in 1811. Another more recent view of Hungerford Tavern (from a circa 1910 postcard) appears below.
Unfortunately, the Tavern building no longer exists. It was located at the NW corner of N. Wasington and Jefferson streets. A bank now largely occupies the site, with a commerative plaque on the north side of the building.
Our neighborhood was essentially built on the acerage of Dawson Farm. The Dawson family surfaces frequently in Rockville history and this was their main homestead. The farm houses and foundations of the out-buildings are preserved as a historic district in Dawson Farm Park in the heart of our neighborhood. Largess of this family included a gift of land to the neighborhood for a community pool, now the site of the storm water marsh and forest preserve.
The neighborhood was built as two distinct developments: Hungerford and Stoneridge. As these developments were built-out they became adjoining blocks and in practice, had no conspicuous boundary. Meanwhile, the area was enclosed by more significant boundary features. Therefore, these tracts naturally melded into a single neighborhood, referred to as Hungerford-Stoneridge. In 2001, we officially dropped the Stoneridge part of our former dual name to signify what had eventually transpired. We are one neighborhood; now designated with one historically significant name.
Our neighborhood is predominantly moderate-sized single family houses constructed in the 1950s and early 1960s. It has a diverse population by race, ethnicity, age, economic status and profession. We have a proud tradition of integration, as indicated by the following story. The first residents were mostly white/Anglo families of war veterans. In 1957, the NAACP targeted the neighborhood in its "block busting" initiative and the first minority family moved in on Brice Road. A resolution was proposed for the community pool to limit membership to Caucasians. At the prompting of a number of concerned residents, a large turn-out appeared at the next pool organization meeting and voted against this resolution by a margin of 95 to 5. So ended intolerant rancor in our neighborhood from nearly the outset.
Located just south of downtown Rockville, we are well located to most destinations in our City. The Rockville Metro station and downtown are within walking distance or can be reached on public transportation. Richard Montgomery High School and commercial stores at Wintergreen Plaza and Ritchie Center are even closer. We have ready transportation access to Wootton Parkway and Rockville Pike, and easy access to Interstate 270, Norbeck Road, Monroe Street and Maryland Avenue. Like ethnic foods? There are a dozen different types of ethnic restaurants within a mile. For park space, both Dawson Farm Park and Elwood Smith Park are in the neighborhood. We are also adjacent to Dogwood Park with extensive City recreation facilities. And the County Child Resource Center occupies a former elementary school and includes public playgrounds and playing fields. Two streams pass through the neighborhood, Cabin John Creek and Dawson Farm Tributary, that constitute the headwaters of the Cabin John Stream watershed. Each of these is a lush green backdrop for our streets. We also have a forest preserve and stormwater marsh where native wildlife are often seen. Our neighborhood contains many mature trees and residents take pride in their yards and plantings.
We have many original home owners still living in our neighborhood after many decades. They share a knowledge with newer residents. Hungerford is a great place to live.
